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9 killed, seven injured in blast at illegal firecracker factory in Gujarat's Ahmedabad; PM condoles deaths
A blast followed by a fire at allegedly an illegal firecracker factory in Ramtol area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad on Saturday
Ahmedabad: Nine people were killed and seven others were injured after a major fire broke out at around 3.30 pm at New Fire Works on Saturday, a firecracker manufacturing unit on Ramol-Gatrad Road near Vastral on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Police said the factory was suspected to have been operating illegally.
The casualty figures were provided by Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot later in the evening. Initial reports had said 15 people were affected, with five fatalities confirmed at the time. The injured are undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals.
The factory was allegedly being operated by Mehul Dodiya, said Jaipal Singh Rathore, Additional Commissioner of Police, Sector-2, Ahmedabad City.
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"We have registered an FIR naming three accused — Mehul Dodiya, his mother, who owns the establishment, and Sadiq Saiyed, a partner in the business. Multiple police teams have been formed and we expect to arrest them soon," Rathore said.
What caused the blast?
The ACP said a preliminary investigation suggested that a spark generated while the accused were handling explosive materials may have triggered the blast. However, he added that the exact cause would be established only after the investigation was completed.
Sources said the unit's licence had been cancelled earlier and that it had allegedly continued operating despite the cancellation. Rathore said the police were verifying the claims regarding the licence and the legality of the unit's operations.
All those killed are believed to be workers at the unit, though police were yet to officially release their identities till late Saturday.
Fire brigade personnel, police teams and 108 ambulance service personnel rushed to the spot after the blaze was reported. Firefighters brought the fire under control and rescued the injured, who were shifted to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital and LG Hospital.
The Ahmedabad fire comes more than a year after the Deesa firecracker tragedy of April 1, 2025, in which 21 people, including several migrant workers and children, were killed after an explosion and fire ripped through an allegedly illegal firecracker manufacturing unit operating from a warehouse in Banaskantha district.
The explosion caused the structure to collapse, trapping workers inside. A forensic investigation confirmed the presence of aluminium powder and yellow dextrin powder, both used in firecracker production.
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Officials had said the unit did not have a valid licence to manufacture or store firecrackers, with renewal having been denied because of safety deficiencies. The tragedy prompted the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and a public interest litigation pending before the Gujarat High Court has sought accountability for alleged regulatory lapses, stricter regulation of firecracker manufacturing units and production of the SIT's report.
Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Investigators are examining whether firecrackers and explosive materials were being manufactured or stored in violation of licence conditions and safety norms.
PM Modi condoles deaths
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the blast and fire at an illegal firecracker factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and announced ex gratia compensation for the victims.
"Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap at a fireworks factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected," he said.
The PM also announced that “an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
Gujarat Chief minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex gratia of ₹4 lakh for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for every injured person.
In a post on X, CM Patel expressed grief over the fire and said the incident was "extremely heartbreaking". He conveyed condolences to the families of those who died and said the local administration had been directed to ensure all necessary treatment and assistance to the injured.
